Team Pirelli Puts Final Touches on 2008 Monster Energy Supercross

Rome, Ga. – The finishing touches of Pirelli’s newest venture into professional off-road racing were placed on the 2008 Monster Energy® Supercross championship Saturday night at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium marking their commitment to off-road racing. RWR/Bad Boy Energy’s Tyler Bright qualified for the main event after finishing seventh in his heat race. Bright finished 17th in the main event while Moto XXX/Hooter’s Eric Sorby transferred to the main where he earned 20th place.

Sorby, of Lake Elsinore, Calif., earned top honors for Pirelli’s AMA Supercross class efforts finishing 15th overall on the season with 84 points. He finished a season-best ninth at Daytona and earned the Progressive Holeshot Award at Detroit’s Ford Field.

Jake Marsack, of Berlin, Mich., also enjoyed a banner season, scoring 18th overall. He finished on the podium at the Daytona Beach stop and fourth at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

“Our commitment will continue to grow year after year, but this season provided a great starting point for our commitment to off-road racing,” said Josh Whitmire, Pirelli’s MX Manager. “We opened the season in Anaheim by unveiling our upgraded support efforts, including a full semi to the sponsored riders and teams competing in AMA Supercross.”

In AMA Supercross Lites class racing, SVM Honda’s Billy Payne, of Simi Valley, Calif., came out of retirement and led Pirelli’s field of Lites class racers. Payne finished 10th overall in the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship.

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 365

2. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 352

3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 281

4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 278

5. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 228

6. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 218

7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 173

8. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 169

9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 159

10. Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Honda, 145

15. Eric Sorby, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda/Pirelli 84

18. Jake Marsack, Berlin, Mich., Honda/Pirelli, 66

20. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Kawasaki/Pirelli, 52

 

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 157

2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 154

3. Austin Stroupe, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 131

4. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 126

5. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki, 117

6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 100

7. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 95

8. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha, 79

9. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha, 73

10. Robert Kiniry, LaFayette, N.Y., Kawasaki, 72

14. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Suzuki/Pirelli, 62

17. Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Honda/Pirelli, 41

19. Michael Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Suzuki/Pirelli, 33

 

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 147

2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 137

3. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair., Mich., Suzuki, 99

4. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 94

5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 91

6. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ken., Yamaha, 86

7. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 84

8. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., KTM, 84

9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 73

10. Billy Payne, Simi Valley, Calif., Honda/Pirelli, 71

16. Jimmy Albertson, Ozark, Mo., Suzuki/Pirelli, 33

19. Ricky Renner, Mulberry, Fla., Kawasaki/Pirelli, 21

20. Justin Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., Suzuki/Pirelli, 21

22. Willy Browning, Rushville, Ohio, Suzuki/Pirelli, 17

 

 

 

Pirelli Tire North America specializes in manufacturing and marketing high-performance tires for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, ATV’s and motorsports.  An industry leader in technology and quality, Pirelli operates its highly advanced Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) in Rome, Georgia, to better serve the American OEM and Replacement markets.  For more information please visit:  www.us.pirelli.com.